Square footage wasn't available - units look to be in the 300 to 400 square foot range.

Meanwhile, the apartment high-rise under construction at the old Pier 4 site, a short walk away on the waterfront next to Fan Pier, will include another 50 tiny innovation units.

The rent for one of these Pier 4 micro units has yet to be set, but even initial estimates of $1,500 a month should raise alarm bells, Renee Loth argues. She points out to afford $1,500 a month, you need to be pulling down $72,000 a year - no small feat for a twenty-something in today's anemic economy.

Of course, $1,500 looks like a bargain compared to the $1,700 - actually, to be fully accurate $1,699 - that is the minimum price for innovation units and other apartments on Melcher street.